Image scanning apparatus and method, and storage medium

ABSTRACT

A scheme for obtaining an original image free from any dust or scratches on a film by scanning a film original or the like with visible light and infrared light has been proposed. This scheme suffers problems, i.e., a large memory size and long processing time since original image data obtained by infrared light must be stored. 
     To solve such conventional problems, this invention provides, e.g., an image scanning apparatus which has a light source for emitting visible light and invisible light, scanning means for scanning an original image irradiated with light emitted by the light source, and control means for controlling the scanning means to scan the original image irradiated with the invisible light, and then to scan the original image irradiated with the visible light.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an image scanning apparatus and methodfor scanning an image on, e.g., a transparent original (also called atransmissive original) such as a developed photographic film or thelike, an opaque film original, or the like.

2. Description of the Related Art

The arrangement of a conventional film scanner will be explained belowwith reference to FIGS. 44 to 46.

FIG. 44 is a perspective view showing principal part of a conventionalfilm scanner, FIG. 45 is a schematic view showing the arrangement of thefilm scanner shown in FIG. 44, and FIG. 46 is a block diagram showingthe circuit arrangement of the film scanner shown in FIG. 44.

Referring to FIGS. 44 to 46, reference numeral 501 denotes a filmcarriage used as a platen; and 502, a developed film which is fixed onthe film carriage 501. Reference numeral 503 denotes a lamp serving as alight source; 504, a mirror; 505, a lens; and 506, a line sensorcomprising, e.g., a CCD and the like. Light emitted by the lamp 503 istransmitted through the film 502, is reflected by the mirror 504, andforms an image on the line sensor 506 by the lens 505.

Reference numeral 507 denotes a motor for moving the film carriage 501in the scan direction (the direction of the arrow in FIGS. 44 and 45);508, a sensor for detecting the position of the film carriage 501; 509,an optical axis extending from the lamp 503 o the line sensor 506; 510,a control circuit; 511, a lens holder for holding the lens 505; 512, anouter case of the film scanner; and 513, an input/output terminal.

The lamp 503, line sensor 506, motor 507, sensor 508, and input/outputterminal 513 are electrically connected to the control circuit 510. Thecontrol circuit 510 comprises a film scanner control circuit, sensorcontrol circuit, motor control circuit, image information processingcircuit, lamp control circuit, line sensor control circuit, film densitydetection circuit, and motor drive speed determination circuit, as shownin FIG. 46.

An image information scanning method of the film 502 will be explainedbelow.

Upon receiving a film scan command from an external device via theinput/output terminal 513, the sensor 508 and sensor control circuitdetect the position of the film carriage 501, and that information issent to the film scanner control circuit. The motor control circuitdrives the motor 507 to set the film carriage 501 at a predeterminedstandby position, thus moving the film carriage 501 to the standbyposition. The film density detection circuit detects the density of thefilm 502 by a known method, and the motor drive speed determinationcircuit determines the drive speed of the motor 507 for a scan on thebasis of the density information. The lamp control circuit turns on thelamp 503, and the motor 507 is rotated at the determined drive speed,thus scanning the film. During the scan, the line sensor 506 sends imageinformation to the image information processing circuit via the linesensor control circuit. Upon completion of the scan, the lamp controlcircuit turns off the lamp 503, and at the same time, the imageinformation processing circuit executes image information processing.The obtained image information is then output from the input/outputterminal 513, thus ending film image scanning of the film scanner.

In recent years, a film scanner which scans the film not only usingvisible light, as described above, but also using infrared light todetect dust or scratches on the film, superimposes the detected dust orscratch image information on the image information obtained by a scanusing the visible light, and corrects it by image processing has beenproposed by, e.g., Japanese Patent Publication No. 06-78992, and thelike.

However, since such prior art requires a memory for storing film imageinformation obtained by infrared light, a larger memory size than theaforementioned prior art is required. When a film image is scanned withinfrared light to correct dust or scratches on the film, the requiredscan time is prolonged accordingly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a principal object of the present invention to provide an imagescanning apparatus and method which can solve the conventional problems.

According to the present invention, there is provided an image scanningapparatus comprising: a light source for emitting visible light andinvisible light; scanning means for scanning an original imageirradiated with light emitted by the light source; and control means forcontrolling the scanning means to scan the original image irradiatedwith the invisible light, and then to scan the original image irradiatedwith the visible light.

According to the present invention, there is provided an image scanningmethod comprising: the scanning step of scanning, by scanning means, anoriginal image irradiated with light emitted by a light source whichemits visible light and invisible light; and the control step ofcontrolling the scanning means to scan the original image irradiatedwith the invisible light, and then to scan the original image irradiatedwith the visible light.

According to the present invention, there is provided a storage mediumstoring a computer program for scanning image information on anoriginal, the computer program including: a code of the step of scanningthe image information by irradiating the original with invisible light;and a code of the step of then scanning the image information byirradiating the original with visible light.

According to the present invention, there is provided an image scanningapparatus for scanning image information of a transparent original by arelative reciprocal motion between the transparent original andphotodetection means for detecting light transmitted through thetransparent original, comprising: emission means for emitting light in afirst wavelength range and light in a second wavelength range withrespect to the transparent original; and control means for controllingto scan image information from the transparent original by the light inthe first wavelength range in a motion in one direction of thereciprocal motion, and to scan image information from the transparentoriginal by the light in the second wavelength range in a motion in theother direction of the reciprocal motion.

According to the present invention, there is provided an image scanningapparatus for scanning image information of a transparent original by arelative reciprocal motion between the transparent original and opticaldetection means for detecting light transmitted through the transparentoriginal, comprising: emission means for emitting light in a firstwavelength range and light in a second wavelength range with respect tothe transparent original; and control means for controlling to scanimage information from the transparent original, wherein an operationmode that skips a scan for image information by the light in the secondwavelength range upon scanning the image information of the transparentoriginal is selectable.

According to the present invention, there is provided an image scanningmethod applied to an image scanning apparatus for scanning imageinformation of a transparent original by a relative reciprocal motionbetween the transparent original and photodetection means for detectinglight transmitted through the transparent original, comprising: theemission step of emitting light in a first wavelength range and light ina second wavelength range with respect to the transparent original; andthe control step of controlling to scan image information from thetransparent original by the light in the first wavelength range in amotion in one direction of the reciprocal motion, and to scan imageinformation from the transparent original by the light in the secondwavelength range in a motion in the other direction of the reciprocalmotion.

According to the present invention, there is provided an image scanningmethod applied to an image scanning apparatus for scanning imageinformation of a transparent original by a relative reciprocal motionbetween the transparent original and photodetection means for detectinglight transmitted through the transparent original, comprising: theemission step of emitting light in a first wavelength range and light ina second wavelength range with respect to the transparent original; andthe control step of controlling to scan image information from thetransparent original, wherein an operation mode that skips a scan forimage information by the light in the second wavelength range uponscanning the image information of the transparent original isselectable.

According to the present invention, there is provided a computerreadable storage medium, which stores a program for implementing animage scanning method applied to an image scanning apparatus forscanning image information of a transparent original by a relativereciprocal motion between the transparent original and photodetectionmeans for detecting light transmitted through the transparent original,the image scanning method having the emission step of emitting light ina first wavelength range and light in a second wavelength range withrespect to the transparent original, and the control step of controllingto scan image information from the transparent original by the light inthe first wavelength range in a motion in one direction of thereciprocal motion, and to scan image information from the transparentoriginal by the light in the second wavelength range in a motion in theother direction of the reciprocal motion.

According to the present invention, there is provided a computerreadable storage medium, which stores a program for implementing animage scanning method applied to an image scanning apparatus forscanning image information of a transparent original by a relativereciprocal motion between the transparent original and photodetectionmeans for detecting light transmitted through the transparent original,the image scanning method having the emission step of emitting light ina first wavelength range and light in a second wavelength range withrespect to the transparent original, and the control step of controllingto scan image information from the transparent original, wherein anoperation mode that skips a scan for image information by the light inthe second wavelength range upon scanning the image information of thetransparent original is selectable.

According to the present invention, there is provided an image scanningapparatus for scanning image information on an original by a relativereciprocal motion between the original and a line sensor, comprising:scan means for making three types of scans including a rough scan forscanning the image information by visible light at a low resolution, afine scan for scanning the image information by visible light at a highresolution, and an invisible light scan for scanning the imageinformation by invisible light, wherein the scan means makes theinvisible light scan at a lower resolution than the fine scan.

According to the present invention, there is provided an image scanningmethod for scanning image information on an original, comprising: therough scan step of scanning the image information by visible light at alow resolution; the fine scan step of scanning the image information byvisible light at a high resolution; the invisible scan step of scanningthe image information by invisible light at a lower resolution than theresolution in the fine scan step.

According to the present invention, there is provided a storage mediumstoring a computer program for scanning image information on anoriginal, the computer program including: a code of the rough scan stepof scanning the image information by visible light at a low resolution;a code of the fine scan step of scanning the image information byvisible light at a high resolution; a code of the invisible scan step ofscanning the image information by invisible light at a lower resolutionthan the resolution in the fine scan step.

According to the present invention, there is provided an image scanningapparatus for scanning image information on an original by a scanattained by a relative motion between the original and a line sensor,comprising: emission means for emitting visible light and invisiblelight; and scan means for making two types of scans including a visiblelight scan for scanning the image information by visible light, and aninvisible light scan for scanning the image information by invisiblelight, wherein the scan means completes the invisible light scan withina shorter period of time than the visible light scan.

According to the present invention, there is provided an image scanningapparatus for scanning image information on an original by a scanattained by a relative motion between the original and a line sensor,comprising: emission means for emitting visible light and invisiblelight; and scan means for making two types of scans including a visiblelight scan for scanning the image information by visible light, and aninvisible light scan for scanning the image information by invisiblelight, wherein the scan means makes the invisible light scan by arelative motion at a higher speed than a relative motion for the visiblelight scan.

According to the present invention, there is provided an image scanningmethod for scanning image information on an original by a scan attainedby a relative motion between the original and a line sensor, comprising:the visible light scan step of making a scan by the relative motionusing visible light; and the invisible light scan step of making a scanusing invisible light within a shorter period of time than the visiblelight scan step.

According to the present invention, there is provided an image scanningmethod for scanning image information on an original by a scan attainedby a relative motion between the original and a line sensor, comprising:the visible light scan step of making a scan by the relative motionusing visible light; and the invisible light scan step of making a scanusing invisible light by a relative motion at higher speed than arelative motion for the visible light scan step.

According to the present invention, there is provided a storage mediumstoring a computer program for scanning image information on an originalby a scan attained by a relative motion between the original and a linesensor, the computer program including: a code of the visible light scanstep of making a scan by the relative motion using visible light; and acode of the invisible light scan step of making a scan using invisiblelight within a shorter period of time than the visible light scan step.

According to the present invention, there is provided a storage mediumstoring a computer program for scanning image information on an originalby a scan attained by a relative motion between the original and a linesensor, the computer program including: a code of the visible light scanstep of making a scan by the relative motion using visible light; and acode of the invisible light scan step of making a scan using invisiblelight by a relative motion at higher speed than a relative motion forthe visible light scan step.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate thesame or similar parts throughout the figures thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing principal part of a “film scanner”according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing the arrangement of the film scannershown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the circuit arrangement of the filmscanner shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the operation of the film scanner shownin FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a graph showing the spectral sensitivity characteristics of aline sensor, in which curves R, G, and B represent the spectralsensitivity characteristics for visible light (R, G, and B respectivelyrepresent the spectral sensitivity characteristics of red, green, andblue light wavelength receiving units of the line sensor), and a curveIR indicates the spectral sensitivity characteristics for infraredlight;

FIG. 6 is a graph showing the emission spectrum intensity distributionof a lamp;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the operation in the second embodiment ofthe film scanner shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing principal part of a film scanneraccording to the third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing the arrangement of the film scannershown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the circuit arrangement of the filmscanner shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the operation of the film scanner shownin FIG. 8;

FIG. 12 is a graph showing the spectral transmission characteristics ofa physical device used in the third embodiment in a transmission stateof visible light and infrared light;

FIG. 13 is a graph showing the spectral transmission characteristics ofa physical device used in the third embodiment in a non-transmissionstate of infrared light;

FIG. 14 is a graph showing the spectral transmission characteristics ofan overexposed negative film;

FIG. 15 is a graph showing the spectral transmission characteristics ofan underexposed negative film;

FIG. 16 is a graph showing the spectral transmission characteristics ofan overexposed positive film;

FIG. 17 is a graph showing the spectral transmission characteristics ofan underexposed positive film;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing principal part of a film scanneraccording to the fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a schematic view showing the arrangement of the film scannershown in FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing the circuit arrangement of the filmscanner shown in FIG. 18;

FIG. 21 is a flow chart showing the operation of the film scanner shownin FIG. 18;

FIG. 22 is a graph showing the emission spectrum intensity of a visiblelight emission section of a lamp unit used in the fourth embodiment;

FIG. 23 is a graph showing the emission spectrum intensity of aninfrared light emission section of the lamp unit used in the fourthembodiment;

FIG. 24 is a flow chart in the fifth embodiment for controlling theoperation of the film scanner shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 25 is a flow chart in a modification of the fifth embodiment forcontrolling the operation of the film scanner shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 26 is a flow chart in the sixth embodiment for controlling theoperation of the film scanner shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 27 is a flow chart in the seventh embodiment for controlling theoperation of the film scanner shown in FIG. 8;

FIGS. 28 and 29 are graphs showing the spectral transmissioncharacteristics of a physical device in the seventh embodiment in aninfrared light transmission state;

FIG. 30 is a graph showing the spectral transmission characteristics ofa physical device in the seventh embodiment in an infrared lightnon-transmission state;

FIG. 31 is a perspective view showing principal part of a film scanneraccording to the eighth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 32 is a schematic view showing the arrangement of the film scannershown in FIG. 31;

FIG. 33 is a block diagram showing the circuit arrangement of the filmscanner shown in FIG. 31;

FIG. 34 is a flow chart showing the operation of the film scanner shownin FIG. 31;

FIG. 35 is a graph showing the emission spectrum intensity distributionof a visible light emission section in a lamp unit in the eighthembodiment;

FIG. 36 is a graph showing the emission spectrum intensity distributionof an infrared light emission section in the lamp unit in the eighthembodiment;

FIG. 37 is a flow chart in the ninth embodiment for controlling theoperation of the film scanner shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 38 is a flow chart in a modification of the ninth embodiment forcontrolling the operation of the film scanner shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 39 is a flow chart in the 10th embodiment for controlling theoperation of the film scanner shown in FIG. 8;

FIGS. 40 and 41 are graphs showing the spectral transmissioncharacteristics of a physical device in the 10th embodiment in aninfrared light transmission state;

FIG. 42 is a graph showing the spectral transmission characteristics ofa physical device in the 10th embodiment in an infrared lightnon-transmission state;

FIG. 43 is a flow chart in the 11th embodiment for controlling theoperation of the film scanner shown in FIG. 31;

FIG. 44 is a perspective view showing principal part of a conventionalfilm scanner;

FIG. 45 is a schematic view showing the arrangement of the film scannershown in FIG. 44; and

FIG. 46 is a block diagram showing the circuit arrangement of the filmscanner shown in FIG. 44.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described indetail hereinafter taking a film scanner as an example. Note that thepresent invention is not limited to the form of a film scanner (filmimage scanning apparatus), and can be practiced in the form of a filmimage scanning method, and a storage medium that stores a program forimplementing this method.

First Embodiment

The first embodiment of the present invention will be described belowwith reference to FIGS. 1 to 6.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing principal part of a “film scanner”according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is aschematic view showing the arrangement of the film scanner shown in FIG.1, FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the circuit arrangement of the filmscanner shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the operation ofthe film scanner shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 5 is a graph showing the spectralsensitivity characteristics of a line sensor, in which curves R, G, andB represent the spectral sensitivity characteristics for visible light(R, G, and B respectively represent the spectral sensitivitycharacteristics of red, green, and blue light wavelength receiving unitsof the line sensor), and a curve IR indicates the spectral sensitivitycharacteristics for infrared light, and FIG. 6 is a graph showing theemission spectrum intensity of a lamp.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, reference numeral 1 denotes a film carriageused as a platen; and 2, a developed film which is fixed on the filmcarriage 1. Reference numeral 3 denotes a lamp serving as a light sourceof visible light and infrared light. The lamp 3 has emissioncharacteristics ranging from the visible light wavelength range to theinfrared wavelength. Reference numeral 4 denotes a mirror; 5, a lens;and 6, a line sensor comprising, e.g., a CCD and the like. Light emittedby the lamp 3 is transmitted through the film 2, is reflected by themirror 4, and forms an image on the line sensor 6. The line sensor 6 hasthree light-receiving areas, i.e., R, G, and B light-receiving areas,which are respectively sensitive to red, green, and blue lightwavelengths, and at least one of which is also sensitive to infraredlight. Reference numeral 7 denotes a motor for moving the film carriage1 in the scan direction (the direction of the arrow in FIGS. 1 and 2);8, a sensor for detecting the position of the film carriage 1; 9, anoptical axis extending from the lamp 3 to the line sensor 6; and 10, afilter for cutting infrared light. The filter 10 is held to beretractable from the position on the optical axis 9. Reference numeral11 denotes a filter motor for moving the filter 10; 12, a controlcircuit; 13, a lens holder for holding the lens 5; 14, an outer case ofthe film scanner; 15, an input/output terminal; 16, a density sensor fordetecting the film density; and 17, a filter sensor for detecting theposition of the filter 10.

The lamp 3, line sensor 6, motor 7, sensor 8, filter motor 11,input/output terminal 15, density sensor 16, and filter sensor 17 areelectrically connected to the control circuit 12. The control circuit 12comprises a film scanner control circuit, sensor control circuit,density sensor control circuit, filter sensor control circuit, motorcontrol circuit, filter motor control circuit, image informationprocessing circuit, lamp control circuit, line sensor control circuit,film density detection circuit, motor drive speed determination circuit,and image information storage circuit, as shown in FIG. 3.

An image scanning method of the film 2 will be explained below withreference to the flow chart shown in FIG. 4.

Upon receiving a film scan command from an external device via theinput/output terminal 15, the sensor 8 and sensor control circuit detectthe position of the film carriage 1, and that information is sent to thefilm scanner control circuit. The motor control circuit drives the motor7 at a predetermined drive speed to set the film carriage 1 at apredetermined standby position, thus moving the film carriage 1 to thestandby position. At the same time, the filter sensor 17 and filtersensor control circuit detect the position of the filter 10, and thatinformation is sent to the film scanner control circuit. In order toretract the filter 10 from the position on the optical axis 9, thefilter motor control circuit drives the filter motor 11 to move thefilter 10 to its retracted position (see S1; the same applies to thefollowing description). The density sensor 16 and film density detectioncircuit detect the density of the film 2 (S2), and the motor drive speeddetermination circuit determines drive speed 1 of the motor 7 for a scanusing infrared light, and drive speed 2 of the motor 7 for a scan usingvisible light on the basis of the density information (S3). The lampcontrol circuit turns on the lamp 3 (S4), and the motor control circuitrotates the motor 7 in a predetermined direction at drive speed 1determined previously, thus scanning the film to obtain imageinformation of the film 2 by infrared light (S5). During the scan, theline sensor 6 sends an output signal (image information) to the imageinformation processing circuit via the line sensor control circuit todetect the infrared light transmission state, i.e., a region on the film2 where the transmittance of the infrared light is different from theremaining region by a predetermined value or more, thus detecting anydust/scratch range on the film 2 (S6). The dust/scratch rangeinformation is sent to and stored in the image information storagecircuit (S7). Upon completion of the scan for obtaining the imageinformation, i.e., the dust/scratch range information of the film 2 byinfrared light, the motor 7 is rotated in the reverse direction at apredetermined speed, thus moving the film carriage 1 to theaforementioned standby position. At the same time, the filter motorcontrol circuit drives the filter motor 11 to move the filter 10 to aposition where it can cover a light beam having the optical axis 9 asthe center while monitoring the position of the filter 10 by the filtersensor 17 and filter sensor control circuit (S8). The motor controlcircuit rotates the motor 7 in the same direction as that in the scanusing the infrared light at drive speed 2 determined previously, thusscanning the film to obtain image information of the film 2 by visiblelight (S9). During this scan, the line sensor 6 sends an output signal(image information) to the image information processing circuit via theline sensor control circuit.

Upon completion of this scan, the lamp control circuit turns off thelamp 3 (S10). At the same time, the image information storage circuitsends the dust/scratch range information to the image informationprocessing circuit, which executes image information processing forcorrecting the dust/scratch range from the image information of the film2 obtained by visible light. The image information is output from theinput/output terminal 15 (S11), thus ending film image scanning of thefilm scanner.

The scan using the infrared light is to detect dust or scratches on thefilm 2 by detecting a region of the film 2 where the infrared lighttransmittance is different from other regions, but is not to obtainhigh-quality image information unlike the scan using visible light. Inother words, since the scan using the infrared light need only detectthe region of the film 2 where the infrared light transmittance isdifferent from other regions, i.e., the dust/scratch range, the outputsignal level of the line sensor 6 can be lower than that in the visiblelight scan as long as that range can be detected. On the other hand,since the visible light scan is to obtain higher-quality imageinformation than the infrared light scan, the output signal from theline sensor 6 preferably has a largest possible maximum value, and thescan speed is set so that the line sensor 6 can obtain a sufficientexposure amount. Therefore, the exposure amount of the line sensor 6 perunit time in one resolution limit line is decreased to decrease theoutput signal level in the infrared light scan, and the scan speed isset high to detect the region whose infrared light transmittance isdifferent from other regions. For this reason, drive speed 1 is set tobe higher than drive speed 2, and the infrared scan can be completedwithin a shorter period of time than the visible light scan.

When the infrared light emission intensity of the lamp 3 is smaller thanits visible light emission intensity, the line sensor 6 can use a linesensor which has the spectral sensitivity characteristics shown in,e.g., FIG. 5 (in FIG. 5, R, G, and B represent the spectral sensitivitycharacteristics for visible light, and IR represents those for infraredlight), i.e., has higher sensitivity to infrared light than to visiblelight.

On the other hand, when the infrared light sensitivity of the linesensor 6 is lower than the visible light sensitivity, the lamp 3 can usea lamp having the emission spectrum distribution shown in, e.g., FIG. 6,i.e., having a higher emission intensity of infrared light than visiblelight.

Furthermore, the dust/scratch range information on the film 2 and theimage information of the film 2 obtained by visible light may beseparately output from the input/output terminal 15, and a device (notshown) connected to the input/output terminal 15 may execute imageinformation processing for correcting the dust/scratch range from theimage information of the film 2 obtained by visible light.

Moreover, an operation mode that skips the scan using infrared light,i.e., the scan for obtaining dust/scratch range information, and makesonly a scan for obtaining image information of the film 2 by visiblelight may be provided. By selecting this mode, when a film which hasless dust or scratches is to be scanned, or when no dust/scratchcorrection of an output image is required, the time required for theimage information processing for obtaining image information of the film2 by visible light can be shortened by skipping the image informationprocessing for correcting the dust/scratch range of the imageinformation of the film 2.

Second Embodiment

A “film scanner” according to the second embodiment of the presentinvention will be explained below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 andFIGS. 5 to 7.

Since FIGS. 1 to 3 and FIGS. 5 and 6 are the same as those in the firstembodiment, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 7 is aflow chart showing the operation of the film scanner shown in FIG. 1.

Also, since reference numerals are common to those in the firstembodiment, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

This embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment, and iseffective for a film scanner having the same arrangement as that of thefirst embodiment, in which upon reciprocally moving the film carriage 1by the motor 7 with respect to the line sensor 6, hysteresis due to thereciprocal motion is very small, that is, two pieces of imageinformation obtained by both movements (forward and backward movements)can be easily overlapped on each other upon capturing images by amovement of the film carriage 1 in a predetermined direction and by amovement in the reverse direction.

An image information scanning method of the film 2 will be explainedbelow with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG. 7.

Upon receiving a film scan command from an external device via theinput/output terminal 15, the sensor 8 and sensor control circuit detectthe position of the film carriage 1, and that information is sent to thefilm scanner control circuit. The motor control circuit drives the motor7 at a predetermined drive speed to set the film carriage 1 at apredetermined standby position, thus moving the film carriage 1 to thestandby position. At the same time, the filter sensor 17 and filtersensor control circuit detect the position of the filter 10, and thatinformation is sent to the film scanner control circuit. In order toretract the filter 10 from the position on the optical axis 9, thefilter motor control circuit drives the filter motor 11 to move thefilter 10 to its retracted position (S21). The density sensor 16 andfilm density detection circuit detect the density of the film 2 (S22),and the motor drive speed determination circuit determines drive speed 1of the motor 7 for a scan using infrared light, and drive speed 2 of themotor 7 for a scan using visible light on the basis of the densityinformation (S23). The lamp control circuit turns on the lamp 3 (S24),and the motor control circuit rotates the motor 7 in a predetermineddirection at drive speed 1 determined previously, thus scanning the filmto obtain image information of the film 2 by infrared light (S25).During the scan, the line sensor 6 sends an output signal (imageinformation) to the image information processing circuit via the linesensor control circuit to detect the infrared light transmission state,i.e., a region on the film 2 where the transmittance of the infraredlight is different from the remaining region by a predetermined value ormore, thus detecting any dust/scratch range on the film 2 (S26). Thedust/scratch range information is sent to and stored in the imageinformation storage circuit (S27). Upon completion of the scan forobtaining the image information, i.e., the dust/scratch rangeinformation of the film 2 by infrared light, the filter motor controlcircuit drives the filter motor 11 to move the filter 10 to a positionwhere it can cover a light beam having the optical axis 9 as the centerwhile monitoring the position of the filter 10 by the filter sensor 17and filter sensor control circuit (S28). The motor control circuitrotates the motor 7 in the reverse direction at drive speed 2 determinedpreviously, thus scanning the film to obtain image information of thefilm 2 by visible light (S29). During this scan, the line sensor 6 sendsan output signal (image information) to the image information processingcircuit via the line sensor control circuit.

Upon completion of this scan, when the lamp control circuit turns offthe lamp 3, the image information storage circuit sends the dust/scratchrange information to the image information processing circuit, whichexecutes image information processing for correcting the dust/scratchrange from the image information of the film 2 obtained by visible light(S30). The image information is output from the input/output terminal 15(S31), thus ending film image scanning of the film scanner.

As in the first embodiment, since the scan using the infrared light needonly detect the region of the film 2 where the infrared lighttransmittance is different from other regions, i.e., the dust/scratchrange, the output signal level of the line sensor 6 can be lower thanthat in the visible light scan as long as that range can be detected. Onthe other hand, since the visible light scan is to obtain higher-qualityimage information than the infrared light scan, the output signal fromthe line sensor 6 preferably has a largest possible maximum value, andthe scan speed is set so that the line sensor 6 can obtain a sufficientexposure amount. Therefore, the exposure amount of the line sensor 6 perunit time in one resolution limit line is decreased to decrease theoutput signal level in the infrared light scan, and the scan speed isset high to detect the region whose infrared light transmittance isdifferent from other regions. For this reason, drive speed 1 is set tobe higher than drive speed 2, and the infrared scan can be completedwithin a shorter period of time than the visible light scan.

When the infrared light emission intensity of the lamp 3 is smaller thanits visible light emission intensity, the line sensor 6 can use a linesensor which has the spectral sensitivity characteristics shown in,e.g., FIG. 5 (in FIG. 5, R, G, and B represent the spectral sensitivitycharacteristics for visible light, and IR represents those for infraredlight), i.e., has higher sensitivity to infrared light than to visiblelight.

On the other hand, when the infrared light sensitivity of the linesensor 6 is lower than the visible light sensitivity, the lamp 3 can usea lamp having the emission spectrum distribution shown in, e.g., FIG. 6,i.e., having a higher emission intensity of infrared light than visiblelight.

Furthermore, the dust/scratch range information on the film 2 and theimage information of the film 2 obtained by visible light may beseparately output from the input/output terminal 15, and a device (notshown) connected to the input/output terminal 15 may execute imageinformation processing for correcting the dust/scratch range from theimage information of the film 2 obtained by visible light.

Moreover, an operation mode that skips the scan using infrared light,i.e., the scan for obtaining dust/scratch range information, and makesonly a scan for obtaining image information of the film 2 by visiblelight may be provided as one of operation modes to be selected. Withthis mode, when a film which has less dust or scratches is to bescanned, or when no dust/scratch correction of an output image isrequired, the time required for the image information processing forobtaining image information of the film 2 by visible light can beshortened by skipping the image information processing for correctingthe dust/scratch range of the image information of the film 2.

Third Embodiment

The third embodiment of the present invention will be described belowwith reference to FIGS. 8 to 13.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing principal part of a film scanneraccording to the third embodiment, FIG. 9 is a schematic view showingthe arrangement of the film scanner shown in FIG. 8, FIG. 10 is a blockdiagram showing the circuit arrangement of the film scanner shown inFIG. 8, FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the operation of the filmscanner shown in FIG. 8, FIG. 12 is a graph showing the spectraltransmission characteristics of a physical device used in thisembodiment in the transmission state of visible light and infraredlight, and FIG. 13 is a graph showing the spectral transmissioncharacteristics of a physical device used in this embodiment in thenon-transmission state of infrared light.

Referring to FIGS. 8 to 12, reference numeral 31 denotes a film carriageused as a platen; and 32, a developed film which is fixed on the filmcarriage 31. Reference numeral 33 denotes a lamp serving as a lightsource of visible light and infrared light. The lamp 33 has emissioncharacteristics ranging from the visible light wavelength range to theinfrared wavelength. Reference numeral 34 denotes a mirror; 35, a lens;and 36, a line sensor comprising, e.g., a CCD and the like. Lightemitted by the lamp 33 is transmitted through the film 32, is reflectedby the mirror 34, and forms an image on the line sensor 36. The linesensor 36 has three light-receiving areas, i.e., R, G, and Blight-receiving areas, which are respectively sensitive to red, green,and blue light wavelengths, and at least one of which is also sensitiveto infrared light (IR). Reference numeral 37 denotes a motor for movingthe film carriage 31 in the scan direction (the direction of the arrowin FIGS. 8 and 9); 38, a sensor for detecting the position of the filmcarriage 31; 39, an optical axis extending from the lamp 33 to the linesensor 36; and 40, a physical device such as electrochromic device whosevisible and infrared light transmittances can be controlledelectrically. Reference numeral 41 denotes a control circuit; 42, a lensholder for holding the lens 35; 43, an outer case of the film scanner;and 44, an input/output terminal.

The lamp 33, line sensor 36, motor 37, sensor 38, physical device 40,and input/output terminal 44 are electrically connected to the controlcircuit 41. The control circuit 41 comprises a film scanner controlcircuit, sensor control circuit, physical device control circuit, motorcontrol circuit, image information processing circuit, lamp controlcircuit, line sensor control circuit, film density detection circuit,motor drive speed determination circuit, and image information storagecircuit, as shown in FIG. 10.

An image information scanning method of the film 32 will be describedbelow with reference to the flow chart in FIG. 11.

Upon receiving a film scan command from an external device via theinput/output terminal 44, the sensor 38 and sensor control circuitdetect the position of the film carriage 31, and that information issent to the film scanner control circuit. The motor control circuitdrives the motor 37 at a predetermined drive speed to set the filmcarriage 31 at a predetermined standby position, thus moving the filmcarriage 31 to the standby position. At the same time, the physicaldevice control circuit sets the spectral transmission characteristics ofthe physical device 40 in the transmission state of visible light andinfrared light shown in FIG. 12 (S41). The lamp control circuit turns onthe lamp 33 (S42), and the motor control circuit rotates the motor 37 ina predetermined direction at a predetermined speed to scan the imagerange on the film 32 at the predetermined speed in the film surfacedirection, thus making a rough scan to obtain image information of thefilm 32 by visible light and infrared light (S43). During the roughscan, the line sensor 36 sends an output signal (image information) tothe image information processing circuit via the line sensor controlcircuit, and the film density detection circuit detects the visiblelight and infrared light transmittances of the film 32, i.e., the filmdensity on the basis of this information (S44). When the film carriage31 is returned to its standby position and the rough scan is completed,the motor drive speed determination circuit determines drive speed 1 ofthe motor 37 for a scan using infrared light and drive speed 2 of themotor 37 for a fine scan using visible light on the basis of thedetected film density of the entire film, so as to obtain images withappropriate amounts of light (S45). The motor control circuit rotatesthe motor 37 in a predetermined direction at drive speed 1 determinedpreviously so as to scan the image range of the film 32 in the filmsurface direction, thus making a scan for obtaining image information ofthe film 32 by infrared light (S46). During this scan, the line sensor36 sends an output signal (image information) to the image informationprocessing circuit via the line sensor control circuit to detect theinfrared light transmission state, i.e., a region on the film 32 wherethe transmittance of the infrared light is different from the remainingregion by a predetermined value or more, thus detecting any dust/scratchrange on the film 32 (S47). The dust/scratch range information is sentto and stored in the image information storage circuit (S48). Uponcompletion of the scan for obtaining the image information, i.e., thedust/scratch range information of the film 32 by infrared light, thephysical device control circuit sets the spectral transmissioncharacteristics of the physical device 40 in the infrared lightnon-transmission state shown in FIG. 13 (S49). The motor control circuitrotates the motor 37 in the reverse direction at drive speed 2determined previously, thus making a fine scan (S50). During this finescan, the line sensor 36 sends an output signal (image information) tothe image information processing circuit via the line sensor controlcircuit. Upon completion of image scanning for the fine scan, the motorcontrol circuit rotates the motor 37 at a predetermined drive speed toreturn the film carriage 31 to its standby position (S51). In thismanner, upon completion of the fine scan, the lamp control circuit turnsoff the lamp 33, and at the same time, the image information storagecircuit sends the dust/scratch range information to the imageinformation processing circuit, which executes image informationprocessing for correcting the dust/scratch range of image information ofthe film 32 obtained by the fine scan (visible light) (S52). The imageinformation is then output from the input/output terminal 44 (S53), thusending film image scanning of the film scanner.

As in the first embodiment, since the scan using the infrared light needonly detect the region of the film 32 where the infrared lighttransmittance is different from other regions, i.e., the dust/scratchrange, the output signal level of the line sensor 36 can be lower thanthat in the visible light scan as long as that range can be detected. Onthe other hand, since the visible light scan is to obtain higher-qualityimage information than the infrared light scan, the output signal fromthe line sensor 36 preferably has a largest possible maximum value, andthe scan speed is set so that the line sensor 36 can obtain a sufficientexposure amount. Therefore, the exposure amount of the line sensor 36per unit time in one resolution limit line is decreased to decrease theoutput signal level in the infrared light scan, and the scan speed isset high to detect the region whose infrared light transmittance isdifferent from other regions. For this reason, drive speed 1 is set tobe higher than drive speed 2, and the infrared scan can be completedwithin a shorter period of time than the visible light scan.

When the infrared light emission intensity of the lamp 33 is smallerthan its visible light emission intensity, the line sensor 36 can use aline sensor which has the spectral sensitivity characteristics shown in,e.g., FIG. 5 (in FIG. 5, R, G, and B represent the spectral sensitivitycharacteristics for visible light, and IR represents those for infraredlight), i.e., has higher sensitivity to infrared light than to visiblelight.

On the other hand, when the infrared light sensitivity of the linesensor 36 is lower than the visible light sensitivity, the lamp 33 canuse a lamp having the emission spectrum distribution shown in, e.g.,FIG. 6, i.e., having a higher emission intensity of infrared light thanvisible light.

Furthermore, the dust/scratch range information on the film 32 and theimage information of the film 32 obtained by visible light may beseparately output from the input/output terminal 44, and a device (notshown) connected to the input/output terminal 44 may execute imageinformation processing for correcting the dust/scratch range from theimage information of the film 32 obtained by visible light.

In addition, the scan for obtaining image information of the film 32 byinfrared light may be made in reciprocal motion of the film carriage 31in the rough scan in place of that of the film carriage 31 in the finescan. At this time, a scan for obtaining image information of the film32 by infrared light is made after the rough scan.

Moreover, an operation mode that skips the infrared light scan and makesonly a scan for obtaining image information of the film 32 by visiblelight may be provided as one of operation modes to be selected. Withthis mode, when a film which has less dust or scratches is to bescanned, or when no dust/scratch correction of an output image isrequired, the time required for the image information processing forobtaining image information of the film 32 by visible light can beshortened by skipping the image information processing for correctingthe dust/scratch range of the image information of the film 32.

Modification of First to Third Embodiments

As a modification of the first to third embodiments, a modification forscanning image information on a photographic film will be explainedbelow with reference to FIGS. 14 to 17.

FIG. 14 is a graph showing the spectral transmission characteristics ofan overexposed negative film, FIG. 15 is a graph showing the spectraltransmission characteristics of an underexposed negative film, FIG. 16is a graph showing the spectral transmission characteristics of anoverexposed positive film, and FIG. 17 is a graph showing the spectraltransmission characteristics of an underexposed positive film.

Even when a developed photographic negative film appears opaque due tooverexposure, i.e., has a low visible light transmittance, it has a highinfrared light transmittance, as shown in FIG. 14. On the other hand,even when a developed photographic negative film appears transparent dueto underexposure, i.e., has a high visible light transmittance, it has ahigher infrared light transmittance than that of visible light, as shownin FIG. 15. In addition, the infrared light transmittance remains nearlythe same independently of overexposure or underexposure. Likewise, evenwhen a developed photographic positive film appears transparent due tooverexposure, i.e., has a high visible light transmittance, it has ahigher infrared light transmittance than that of visible light, as shownin FIG. 16. Also, even when a developed photographic positive filmappears opaque due to underexposure, i.e., has a low visible lighttransmittance, it has a high infrared light transmittance, as shown inFIG. 17. In addition, the infrared light transmittance remains nearlythe same independently of overexposure or underexposure. For thisreason, upon scanning image information on a photographic film, a scanusing infrared light may be made at a predetermined drive speed of themotor. Also, at this time, the predetermined drive speed of the motorfor the scan using infrared light is set to be higher than that of themotor for a scan using visible light, which is determined by the filmdensity detected by the density sensor of the first and secondembodiments or the rough scan of the third embodiment.

As can be seen from the above description, upon scanning imageinformation on a photographic film, the time required for scanning imageinformation with infrared light can be easily set to be shorter thanthat required for scanning image information with visible light.

Fourth Embodiment

The fourth embodiment of the present invention will be explained belowusing FIGS. 18 to 23.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing principal part of a film scannerof this embodiment, FIG. 19 is a schematic view showing the arrangementof the film scanner shown in FIG. 18, FIG. 20 is a block diagram showingthe circuit arrangement of the film scanner shown in FIG. 18, FIG. 21 isa flow chart showing the operation of the film scanner shown in FIG. 18,FIG. 22 is a graph showing the emission spectrum intensity of a visiblelight emission section of a lamp unit used in this embodiment, and FIG.23 is a graph showing the emission spectrum intensity of an infraredlight emission section of the lamp unit used in this embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 18 to 20, reference numeral 101 denotes a filmcarriage used as a platen; and 102, a developed film which is fixed onthe film carriage 101. Reference numeral 103 denotes a lamp unit whichis constructed by a visible light emission section 103 a having theemission spectrum intensity distribution shown in FIG. 22 and aninfrared light emission section 103 b having the emission spectrumintensity distribution shown in FIG. 23. Reference numeral 104 denotes amirror; 105, a lens; and 106, a line sensor comprising, e.g., a CCD andthe like. Light emitted by the lamp unit 103 is transmitted through thefilm 102, is reflected by the mirror 104, and forms an image on the linesensor 106. The line sensor 106 has three light-receiving areas, i.e.,R, G, and B light-receiving areas, which are respectively sensitive tored, green, and blue light wavelengths, and at least one of which isalso sensitive to infrared light. Reference numeral 107 denotes a motorfor moving the film carriage 101 in the scan direction (the direction ofthe arrow in FIGS. 18 and 19); 108, a sensor for detecting the positionof the film carriage 101; 109, an optical axis extending from the lamp103 to the line sensor 106; 110, a control circuit; 111, a lens holderfor holding the lens 105; 112, an outer case of the film scanner; and113, an input/output terminal.

The lamp unit 103, line sensor 106, motor 107, sensor 108, andinput/output terminal 113 are electrically connected to the controlcircuit 110. The control circuit 110 comprises a film scanner controlcircuit, sensor control circuit, motor control circuit, imageinformation processing circuit, lamp unit control circuit, line sensorcontrol circuit, film density detection circuit, motor drive speeddetermination circuit, and image information storage circuit, as shownin FIG. 20.

An image information scanning method of the film 102 will be explainedbelow with reference to the flow chart in FIG. 21.

Upon receiving a film scan command from an external device via theinput/output terminal 113, the sensor 108 and sensor control circuitdetect the position of the film carriage 101, and that information issent to the film scanner control circuit. The motor control circuitdrives the motor 107 to set the film carriage 101 at a predeterminedstandby position, thus moving the film carriage 101 to the standbyposition (see S101; the same applies to the following description). Thelamp unit control circuit turns on the visible light emission section103 a of the lamp unit 103 (S102), and the motor control circuit rotatesthe motor 107 in a predetermined direction at a predetermined drivespeed, thus making a rough scan for obtaining image information of thefilm 102 by visible light (S103). During the rough scan, the line sensor106 sends image information to the image information processing circuitvia the line sensor control circuit, and the film density detectioncircuit detects the light transmittance of the film 102, i.e., the filmdensity on the basis of that information (S104). Upon completion ofimage scanning for the rough scan, the lamp control unit turns off thevisible light emission section 103 a of the lamp unit 103 (S105), andthen turns on the infrared light emission section 103 b of the lamp unit103 (S106). The motor drive circuit rotates the motor 107 in the reversedirection at a predetermined speed to make a scan for obtaining imageinformation of the film 102 by infrared light (S107). During this scan,the line sensor 106 sends image information to the image informationprocessing circuit via the line sensor control circuit to detect theinfrared light transmission state, i.e., a region on the film 102 wherethe transmittance of the infrared light is different from the remainingregion by a predetermined value or more, thus detecting any dust/scratchrange on the film 102 (S108). The dust/scratch range information is sentto and stored in the image information storage circuit (S109). Uponcompletion of the scan for obtaining the image information, i.e., thedust/scratch range information of the film 102 by infrared light, thelamp unit control circuit turns off the infrared light emission section103 b of the lamp unit 103 (S110), and the motor drive speeddetermination circuit determines the motor drive speed in a fine scan toobtain an image with an appropriate amount of light on the basis of thefilm density of the entire film detected in the rough scan madepreviously (S111). The lamp control unit turns on the visible lightemission section 103 a of the lamp unit 103 (S112). The motor controlcircuit rotates the motor 107 at the determined motor drive speed in apredetermined direction to make a fine scan (S113). During this finescan, the line sensor 106 sends image information to the imageinformation processing circuit via the line sensor control circuit. Uponcompletion of image scanning for the fine scan, the film carriage 101 isreturned to its standby position (S114). In this manner, upon completionof the fine scan, the lamp unit control circuit turns off the visiblelight emission section 103 a of the lamp unit 103, and at the same time,the image information storage circuit sends the dust/scratch rangeinformation to the image information processing circuit, which executesimage information processing for correcting the dust/scratch range ofimage information of the film 102 obtained by the fine scan (visiblelight) (S115). The image information is then output from theinput/output terminal 113 (S116), thus ending film image scanning of thefilm scanner.

When the scan using infrared light is made at the same resolution asthat in the rough scan in which the resolution is lower than that in thefine scan, or it is made at a resolution lower than that in the finescan, the storage capacity (memory size) of a storage means can bereduced compared to a case wherein that scan is made at the sameresolution as that in the fine scan and, at the same time, the timerequired for the scan using infrared light can be shortened. Morespecifically, upon scanning image information in the fine scan, an imagequality proportional to the scan resolution can be obtained. However,since the scan using infrared light is to obtain dust/scratch rangeinformation on the film and to correct image information obtained in thefine scan, it need only specify the dust/scratch range on the film andcan achieve its objective (to obtain the dust/scratch range informationon the film) even when its resolution is lower than that in the finescan. For this reason, when the scan resolution in the scan usinginfrared light is set to be equal to that in the rough scan or to belower than that in the fine scan, the storage capacity (memory size) ofthe storage means can be reduced compared to a case wherein that scan ismade at the same resolution as that in the fine scan. At the same time,when a low scan resolution is set, the motor 107 can be driven at ahigher drive speed (since sampling in the scan can be made coarser) and,hence, the time required for the scan using infrared light can beshortened.

The scan for obtaining image information of the film 102 using infraredlight (infrared light scan) may be made before the rough scan in placeof the above-mentioned timing.

Also, the dust/scratch range information on the film 102 and the imageinformation of the film 102 obtained by visible light may be separatelyoutput from the input/output terminal 113, and a device (not shown)connected to the input/output terminal 113 may execute image informationprocessing for correcting the dust/scratch range from the imageinformation of the film 102 obtained by visible light.

Furthermore, an operation mode that skips the infrared light scan andmakes only a scan for obtaining image information of the film 102 byvisible light may be provided as one of operation modes to be selected.With this mode, when a film which has less dust or scratches is to bescanned, or when no dust/scratch correction of an output image isrequired, the time required for the image information processing forobtaining image information of the film 102 by visible light can beshortened by skipping the image information processing for correctingthe dust/scratch range of the image information of the film 102.

Fifth Embodiment

The fifth embodiment of the present invention will be explained belowwith reference to FIG. 24, and FIGS. 8 to 10 and FIGS. 12 and 13 used inthe description of the third embodiment. FIG. 24 is a flow chart in thisembodiment for controlling the operation of the film scanner shown inFIG. 8.

An image information scanning method of the film 32 will be explainedbelow with reference to the flow chart in FIG. 24. Note that referencenumerals used in the following description are common to those in thethird embodiment, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Upon receiving a film scan command from an external device via theinput/output terminal 44, the sensor 38 and sensor control circuitdetect the position of the film carriage 31, and that information issent to the film scanner control circuit. The motor control circuitdrives the motor 37 at a predetermined drive speed to set the filmcarriage 31 at a predetermined standby position, thus moving the filmcarriage 31 to the standby position. At the same time, the physicaldevice control circuit sets the spectral transmission characteristics ofthe physical device 40 in the transmission state of visible light andinfrared light shown in FIG. 12 (S121). The lamp control circuit turnson the lamp 33 (S122), and the motor control circuit rotates the motor37 in a predetermined direction at a predetermined speed to scan animage range on the film 32 at the predetermined speed in the filmsurface direction, thus making a rough scan to obtain image informationof the film 32 by visible light and infrared light (S123). During therough scan, the line sensor 36 sends an output signal (imageinformation) to the image information processing circuit via the linesensor control circuit, and the film density detection circuit detectsthe visible light transmittance of the film 32, i.e., the film densityon the basis of this information. Likewise, the image informationprocessing circuit detects the infrared light transmission state, i.e.,a region on the film 32 where the transmittance of the infrared light isdifferent from the remaining region by a predetermined value or more,thus detecting any dust/scratch range on the film 32 (S124). Thedust/scratch range information is sent to and stored in the imageinformation storage circuit (S125).

When the motor control circuit rotates the motor 37 in the reversedirection at a predetermined drive speed to return the film carriage 31to its standby position, and the rough scan and the scan for obtainingthe dust/scratch range information are completed, the motor drive speeddetermination circuit determines the drive speed of the motor 37 for afine scan to obtain an image with an appropriate amount of light on thebasis of the detected film density on the entire film (S126). Thephysical device control circuit then sets the spectral transmissioncharacteristics of the physical device 40 in the infrared lightnon-transmission state shown in FIG. 13 (S127). The motor controlcircuit rotates the motor 37 in a predetermined direction at thedetermined drive speed, thus making a fine scan (S128). During this finescan, the line sensor 36 sends an output signal (image information) tothe image information processing circuit via the line sensor controlcircuit. Upon completion of image scanning for the fine scan, the motorcontrol circuit rotates the motor 37 at a predetermined drive speed toreturn the film carriage 31 to its standby position (S129). In thismanner, upon completion of the fine scan, the lamp control circuit turnsoff the lamp 33, and at the same time, the image information storagecircuit sends the dust/scratch range information to the imageinformation processing circuit, which executes image informationprocessing for correcting the dust/scratch range of image information ofthe film 32 obtained by the fine scan (visible light) (S130). The imageinformation is then output from the input/output terminal 44 (S131),thus ending film image scanning of the film scanner.

As in the fourth embodiment, the dust/scratch range information on thefilm 32 and the image information of the film 32 obtained by visiblelight may be separately output from the input/output terminal 44, and adevice (not shown) connected to the input/output terminal 44 may executeimage information processing for correcting the dust/scratch range fromthe image information of the film 32 obtained by visible light.

Also, an operation mode that skips the infrared light scan and makesonly a scan for obtaining image information of the film 32 by visiblelight may be provided as one of operation modes to be selected. Withthis mode, when a film which has less dust or scratches is to bescanned, or when no dust/scratch correction of an output image isrequired, the time required for the image information processing forobtaining image information of the film 32 by visible light can beshortened by skipping the image information processing for correctingthe dust/scratch range of the image information of the film 32.

A modification of the fifth embodiment will be explained below withreference to FIG. 25. FIG. 25 is a flow chart in this modification forcontrolling the operation of the film scanner shown in FIG. 8. As in thefifth embodiment, since reference numerals used in the followingdescription are common to those in the third embodiment, a detaileddescription thereof will be omitted.

This modification is effective for a film scanner having the samearrangement as that of the third embodiment, in which upon reciprocallymoving the film carriage 31 by the motor 37 with respect to the linesensor 36, hysteresis due to the reciprocal motion is very small, thatis, two pieces of image information obtained by movements in twodirections (forward and backward movements) can be easily overlapped oneach other upon capturing images by a movement of the film carriage 31in a predetermined direction and by a movement in the reverse direction.

An image information scanning method of the film 32 will be describedbelow using the flow chart in FIG. 25.

Upon receiving a film scan command from an external device via theinput/output terminal 44, the sensor 38 and sensor control circuitdetect the position of the film carriage 31, and that information issent to the film scanner control circuit. The motor control circuitdrives the motor 37 at a predetermined drive speed to set the filmcarriage 31 at a predetermined standby position, thus moving the filmcarriage 31 to the standby position. At the same time, the physicaldevice control circuit sets the spectral transmission characteristics ofthe physical device 40 in the transmission state of visible light andinfrared light shown in FIG. 12 (S141). The lamp control circuit turnson the lamp 33 (S142), and the motor control circuit rotates the motor37 in a predetermined direction at a predetermined speed to scan theimage range on the film 32 at the predetermined speed in the filmsurface direction, thus making a rough scan to obtain image informationof the film 32 by visible light and infrared light (S143). During therough scan, the line sensor 36 sends an output signal (imageinformation) to the image information processing circuit via the linesensor control circuit, and the film density detection circuit detectslight transmittance of the visible light of the film 32, i.e., the filmdensity on the basis of this information. Likewise, the imageinformation processing circuit detects the infrared light transmissionstate, i.e., a region on the film 32 where the transmittance of theinfrared light is different from the remaining region by a predeterminedvalue or more, thus detecting any dust/scratch range on the film 32(S144). The dust/scratch range information is sent to and stored in theimage information storage circuit (S145).

Upon completion of the rough scan and the scan for obtaining thedust/scratch range information on the film, the motor drive speeddetermination circuit determines the drive speed of the motor 37 for afine scan to obtain an image with an appropriate amount of light on thebasis of the detected film density on the entire film (S146). Thephysical device control circuit then sets the spectral transmissioncharacteristics of the physical device 40 in the infrared lightnon-transmission state shown in FIG. 13 (S147). The motor controlcircuit rotates the motor 37 in the reverse direction at the determineddrive speed, thus making a fine scan (S148). During this fine scan, theline sensor 36 sends an output signal (image information) to the imageinformation processing circuit via the line sensor control circuit. Uponcompletion of image scanning for the fine scan, the motor controlcircuit rotates the motor 37 at a predetermined drive speed to returnthe film carriage 31 to its standby position (S149). In this manner,upon completion of the fine scan, the lamp control circuit turns off thelamp 33, and at the same time, the image information storage circuitsends the dust/scratch range information to the image informationprocessing circuit, which executes image information processing forcorrecting the dust/scratch range of image information of the film 32obtained by the fine scan (visible light) (S150). The image informationis then output from the input/output terminal 44, thus ending film imagescanning of the film scanner.

As in the above embodiments, the dust/scratch range information on thefilm 32 and the image information of the film 32 obtained by visiblelight may be separately output from the input/output terminal 44, and adevice (not shown) connected to the input/output terminal 44 may executeimage information processing for correcting the dust/scratch range fromthe image information of the film 32 obtained by visible light.

Also, an operation mode that skips the infrared light scan and makesonly a scan for obtaining image information of the film 32 by visiblelight may be provided as one of operation modes to be selected. Withthis mode, when a film which has less dust or scratches is to bescanned, or when no dust/scratch correction of an output image isrequired, the time required for the image information processing forobtaining image information of the film 32 by visible light can beshortened by skipping the image information processing for correctingthe dust/scratch range of the image information of the film 32.

Sixth Embodiment

The sixth embodiment of the present invention will be explained belowwith reference to FIG. 26, and FIGS. 1 to 3 used in the description ofthe first embodiment. FIG. 26 is a flow chart in this embodiment forcontrolling the operation of the film scanner shown in FIG. 1.

An image information scanning method of the film 2 will be explainedbelow with reference to the flow chart in FIG. 26. Note that referencenumerals used in the following description are common to those in thefirst embodiment, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Upon receiving a film scan command from an external device via theinput/output terminal 15, the sensor 8 and sensor control circuit detectthe position of the film carriage 1, and that information is sent to thefilm scanner control circuit. The motor control circuit drives the motor7 to set the film carriage 1 at a predetermined standby position, thusmoving the film carriage 1 to the standby position. At the same time,the filter sensor 17 and filter sensor control circuit detect theposition of the filter 10, and that information is sent to the filmscanner control circuit. In order to retract the filter 10 from theposition on the optical axis 9, the filter motor control circuit drivesthe filter motor 11 to move the filter 10 to its retracted position(step S201).

The density sensor 16 and film density detection circuit detect thedensity of the film 2 (step S202), and the motor drive speeddetermination circuit determines the drive speed of the motor 7 for ascan on the basis of this information (step S203). The lamp controlcircuit turns on the lamp 3 (step S204), and the motor control circuitrotates the motor 7 in a predetermined direction at the determined drivespeed, thus scanning the film to obtain image information of the film 2by infrared light (step S205).

During the scan, the line sensor 6 sends image information to the imageinformation processing circuit via the line sensor control circuit todetect the infrared light transmission state, i.e., a region on the film2 where the transmittance of the infrared light is different from theremaining region by a predetermined value or more, thus detecting anydust/scratch range on the film 2 (step S206). The dust/scratch rangeinformation is then sent to and stored in the image information storagecircuit (step S207).

Upon completion of the scan for obtaining the image information, i.e.,the dust/scratch range information of the film 2 by infrared light, thefilter motor control circuit drives the filter motor 11 to move thefilter 10 to a position where it can cover a light beam having theoptical axis 9 as the center while monitoring the position of the filter10 by the filter sensor 17 and filter sensor control circuit (stepS208). The motor control circuit rotates the motor 7 in the reversedirection at the previously determined drive speed, thus scanning thefilm to obtain image information of the film 2 by visible light (stepS209). During this scan, the line sensor 6 sends image information tothe image information processing circuit via the line sensor controlcircuit.

Upon completion of this scan, the lamp control circuit turns off thelamp 3 and, at the same time, the image information storage circuitsends the dust/scratch range information to the image informationprocessing circuit, which executes image information processing forcorrecting the dust/scratch range on the image information of the film 2obtained by visible light (step S210). The image information is outputfrom the input/output terminal 15 (step S211), thus ending film imagescanning of the film scanner.

In the sixth embodiment, the dust/scratch range information on the film2 and the image information of the film 2 obtained by visible light maybe separately output from the input/output terminal 15, and a device(not shown) connected to the input/output terminal 15 may execute imageinformation processing for correcting the dust/scratch range from theimage information of the film 2 obtained by visible light.

Also, in the sixth embodiment, the scan for obtaining image informationof the film 2 by visible light may be made prior to the scan forobtaining image information of the film 2 by infrared light. In thiscase, however, the image information of the film 2 obtained by visiblelight must be stored in the image information storage circuit.

Furthermore, in the sixth embodiment, an operation mode that skips thescan using infrared light, i.e., the scan for obtaining dust/scratchrange information, and makes only a scan for obtaining image informationof the film 2 by visible light may be provided as one of operation modesto be selected. With this mode, when a film which has less dust orscratches is to be scanned, or when no dust/scratch correction of anoutput image is required, the time required for the image informationprocessing for obtaining image information of the film 2 by visiblelight can be shortened by skipping the image information processing forcorrecting the dust/scratch range of the image information of the film2.

As described above, according to the sixth embodiment, since imageinformation is scanned by visible light in a motion in one direction ofa relative reciprocal motion between the film 2 as a transparentoriginal, and the line sensor 6, and image information is scanned byinfrared light in a motion in the other direction of the reciprocalmotion, the relative reciprocal motion between the film 3 and linesensor 6 for scanning image information by visible light, and that forscanning image information by infrared light need not be separatelymade. Therefore, a simple film image scanning apparatus which can make ascan using infrared light to obtain a film image free from any dust orscratches within a shorter period of time than a conventional apparatuscan be provided.

Also, since the operation mode that skips the infrared light scan uponscanning image information of the film 2 is provided and can beselected, when a film which has less dust or scratches is to be scanned,or when no dust/scratch correction of an output image is required, thetime required for the image information processing for obtaining imageinformation of the film by visible light can be shortened by skippingthe image information processing for correcting the dust/scratch rangeof the image information of the film.

Seventh Embodiment

The seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described belowwith reference to FIGS. 27 to 30, and FIGS. 8 to 10 used in thedescription of the third embodiment. FIG. 27 is a flow chart in thisembodiment for controlling the operation of the film scanner shown inFIG. 8. FIGS. 28 and 29 are graphs showing the spectral transmissioncharacteristics of a physical device in the seventh embodiment in aninfrared light transmission state, and FIG. 30 is a graph showing thespectral transmission characteristics of a physical device in theseventh embodiment in an infrared light non-transmission state.

An image information scanning method of the film 32 will be describedbelow with reference to the flow chart in FIG. 27. Note that referencenumerals used in the following description are common to those in thethird embodiment, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Upon receiving a film scan command from an external device via theinput/output terminal 44, the sensor 38 and sensor control circuitdetect the position of the film carriage 31, and that information issent to the film scanner control circuit. The motor control circuitdrives the motor 37 to set the film carriage 31 at a predeterminedstandby position, thus moving the film carriage 31 to the standbyposition. At the same time, the physical device control circuit sets thespectral transmission characteristics of the physical device 40 in theinfrared light transmission state shown in FIG. 28 or 29 (step S251).

The lamp control circuit turns on the lamp 33 (step S252), and the motorcontrol circuit rotates the motor 37 in a predetermined direction at apredetermined speed to scan the image range on the film 32 at thepredetermined speed in the film surface direction, thus making a scan toobtain image information of the film 32 by infrared light (step S253).

During the scan, the line sensor 36 sends image information to the imageinformation processing circuit via the line sensor control circuit, andthe image information processing circuit detects the infrared lighttransmission state, i.e., a region on the film 32 where thetransmittance of the infrared light is different from the remainingregion by a predetermined value or more, thus detecting any dust/scratchrange on the film 32 (step S255).

Upon completion of the scan for obtaining the image information, i.e.,the dust/scratch range information of the film 32 by infrared light, thephysical device control circuit sets the spectral transmissioncharacteristics of the physical device 40 in the infrared lightnon-transmission state shown in FIG. 30 (step S256). The motor controlcircuit rotates the motor 37 in the reverse direction at a predetermineddrive speed, thus making a rough scan for obtaining image information ofthe film 32 by visible light (step S257). During this rough scan, theline sensor 36 sends image information to the image informationprocessing circuit via the line sensor control circuit, and the filmdensity detection circuit detects the light transmittance of the film32, i.e., the film density on the basis of this information (step S258).

When the film carriage 31 returns to its standby position and the roughscan is complete, the motor drive speed determination circuit determinesthe motor drive speed for a fine scan on the basis of the detected filmdensity of the entire film, so as to obtain an image with an appropriateamount of light (step S259). The motor control circuit rotates the motor37 in a predetermined direction at the determined motor drive speed,thus making a fine scan (step S260). During this fine scan, the linesensor 36 sends image information to the image information processingcircuit via the line sensor control circuit.

Upon completion of image scanning for the fine scan, the motor controlcircuit rotates the motor 37 at a predetermined drive speed to returnthe film carriage 31 to its standby position (step S261). In thismanner, upon completion of the fine scan, the lamp control circuit turnsoff the lamp 33, and at the same time, the image information storagecircuit sends the dust/scratch range information to the imageinformation processing circuit, which executes image informationprocessing for correcting the dust/scratch range of image information ofthe film 32 obtained by the fine scan (visible light) (step S262). Theimage information is then output from the input/output terminal 44 (stepS263), thus ending film image scanning of the film scanner.

In the seventh embodiment, the dust/scratch range information on thefilm 32 and the image information of the film 32 obtained by visiblelight may be separately output from the input/output terminal 44, and adevice (not shown) connected to the input/output terminal 44 may executeimage information processing for correcting the dust/scratch range fromthe image information of the film 32 obtained by visible light.

Also, in the seventh embodiment, the scan for obtaining imageinformation of the film 32 by infrared light is made by moving the filmcarriage 31 in one direction, and after that, the rough scan is made byreturning the film carriage 31 (movement of the film carriage 31 in thereverse direction). Alternatively, after the rough scan is made bymoving the film carriage 31 in one direction, the scan for obtainingimage information of the film 32 by infrared light may be made byreturning the film carriage 31 (movement of the film carriage 31 in thereverse direction). However, in this case, image information of the film32 obtained by visible light must be stored in the image informationstorage circuit.

Furthermore, in the seventh embodiment, the scan for obtaining imageinformation of the film 32 by infrared light may be made during thereciprocal motion of the film carriage 31 in the fine scan in place ofthat of the film carriage 31 in the rough scan. In this case, either ofthe scan for obtaining image information of the film 32 by infraredlight or the fine scan may be made first. When the fine scan is madefirst, image information of the film 32 obtained by visible light mustbe stored in the image information storage circuit.

Moreover, in the seventh embodiment, an operation mode that skips theinfrared light scan and makes only a scan for obtaining imageinformation of the film 32 by visible light may be provided as one ofoperation modes to be selected. With this mode, when a film which hasless dust or scratches is to be scanned, or when no dust/scratchcorrection of an output image is required, the time required for theimage information processing for obtaining image information of the film32 by visible light can be shortened by skipping the image informationprocessing for correcting the dust/scratch range of the imageinformation of the film 32.

As described above, according to the seventh embodiment, since imageinformation of the film 32 as a transparent original is scanned in threescan modes, i.e., a rough scan for obtaining rough image information ofthe film 32 by visible light, a fine scan for obtaining imageinformation of the film 32 by visible light with designated quality, andan infrared light scan for scanning image information of the film 32with infrared light, a simple film image scanning apparatus which canmake a scan using infrared light to obtain a film image free from anydust or scratches within a shorter period of time than a conventionalapparatus can be provided.

Also, since the operation mode that skips the infrared light scan uponscanning image information of the film 32 is provided and can beselected, when a film which has less dust or scratches is to be scanned,or when no dust/scratch correction of an output image is required, thetime required for the image information processing for obtaining imageinformation of the film by visible light can be shortened by skippingthe image information processing for correcting the dust/scratch rangeof the image information of the film.

Eighth Embodiment

The eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described belowwith reference to FIGS. 31 to 36. FIG. 31 is a perspective view showingprincipal part of a film scanner according to the eighth embodiment,FIG. 32 is a schematic view showing the arrangement of the film scannershown in FIG. 31, FIG. 33 is a block diagram showing the circuitarrangement of the film scanner shown in FIG. 31, FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing the operation of the film scanner shown in FIG. 31, FIG.35 is a graph showing the emission spectrum intensity distribution of avisible light emission section in a lamp unit in the eighth embodiment,and FIG. 36 is a graph showing the emission spectrum intensitydistribution of an infrared light emission section in the lamp unit inthe eighth embodiment.

The film scanner according to the eighth embodiment comprises a filmcarriage 161, lamp unit 163, mirror 164, lens 165, line sensor 166,motor 167, sensor 168, control circuit 172, lens holder 173, outer case174, input/output terminal 175, and density sensor 176.

The arrangements of these components will be explained in detail below.The film carriage 161 is used as a platen, and a developed film 162 isfixed on the film carriage 161. The lamp unit 163 is constructed by avisible light emission section 163 a having the emission spectrumintensity distribution shown in FIG. 35, and an infrared light emissionsection 163 b having the emission spectrum intensity distribution shownin FIG. 36. The line sensor 166 comprises a CCD (charge coupled device)and the like. Light emitted by the lamp unit 163 is transmitted throughthe film 162, is reflected by the mirror 164, and forms an image on theline sensor 166. The line sensor 166 has three light-receiving areas,i.e., R, G, and B light-receiving areas, which are respectivelysensitive to red, green, and blue light wavelengths, and at least one ofwhich is also sensitive to infrared light.

The motor 167 moves the film carriage 161 in the scan direction (thedirection of the arrow in FIGS. 31 and 32). The sensor 161 detects theposition of the film carriage 161. Reference numeral 169 in FIG. 31denotes an optical axis extending from the lamp 163 to the line sensor166. The control circuit 172 has an arrangement shown in FIG. 33, andexecutes the processes shown in the flow chart in FIG. 34. The lensholder 173 holds the lens 165. The outer case 174 houses the respectiveunits of the film scanner. An external device is connected to theinput/output terminal 175. The density sensor 176 detects the filmdensity. The lamp unit 163, line sensor 166, motor 167, sensor 168, andinput/output terminal 175 are electrically connected to the controlcircuit 172.

FIG. 33 is a block diagram showing the circuit arrangement of the filmscanner according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention. Thecontrol circuit 172 comprises a film scanner control circuit 177, sensorcontrol circuit 178, motor control circuit 179, image informationprocessing circuit 180, lamp unit control circuit 181, image informationstorage circuit 182, line sensor control circuit 183, film densitydetection circuit 184, motor drive speed determination circuit 185, anddensity sensor control circuit 186.

The functions of these circuits will be explained below. The filmscanner control circuit 177 integrally controls the circuits 178 to 186.The sensor control circuit 178 detects the position of the film carriage161 on the basis of a detection signal from the sensor 168. The motorcontrol circuit 179 controls to drive the motor 167, thereby moving thefilm carriage 161 in the scan direction. The image informationprocessing circuit 180 executes image information processing forcorrecting the dust/scratch range from image information of the film162.

The lamp unit control circuit 181 controls to turn on/off the lamp unit163. The image information storage circuit 182 stores dust/scratch rangeinformation on the film 162. The line sensor control circuit 183controls the line sensor 166 to capture image information from the linesensor 166. The film density detection circuit 184 detects film density.The motor drive speed determination circuit 185 determines the drivespeed of the motor 167. The density sensor control circuit 186 controlsthe density sensor 176.

An image scanning method of the film 162 in the film scanner with theabove arrangement according to the eighth embodiment of the presentinvention will be described below with reference to the flow chart inFIG. 34.

Upon receiving a film scan command from an external device via theinput/output terminal 175, the sensor 168 and sensor control circuit 178detect the position of the film carriage 161, and that information issent to the film scanner control circuit 177. The motor control circuit179 drives the motor 167 to set the film carriage 161 at a predeterminedstandby position, thus moving the film carriage 161 to the standbyposition (step S301).

The density sensor 176 and film density detection circuit 184 detect thedensity of the film 162 (step S302), and the motor drive speeddetermination circuit 185 determines the drive speed of the motor 167for a scan (step S303). The lamp unit control circuit 181 turns on theinfrared light emission section 163 b of the lamp unit 163 (step S304),and the motor control circuit 179 rotates the motor 167 in apredetermined direction at the determined drive speed, thus making ascan for obtaining image information of the film 102 by infrared light(step S305).

During this scan, the line sensor 166 sends image information to theimage information processing circuit 180 via the line sensor controlcircuit 183 to detect the infrared light transmission state, i.e., aregion on the film 162 where the transmittance of the infrared light isdifferent from the remaining region by a predetermined value or more,thus detecting any dust/scratch range on the film 162 (step S306). Thedust/scratch range information is sent to and stored in the imageinformation storage circuit 182 (step S307).

Upon completion of the scan for obtaining the image information, i.e.,the dust/scratch range information of the film 162 by infrared light,the lamp unit control circuit 181 turns off the infrared light emissionsection 163 b of the lamp unit 163, and then turns on the visible lightemission section 163 a of the lamp unit 163 (step S308). The motorcontrol circuit 179 rotates the motor 167 at the determined drive speedin the reverse direction to make a scan for obtaining image informationof the film 162 by visible light (step S309). During this scan, the linesensor 166 sends image information to the image information processingcircuit 180 via the line sensor control circuit 183.

Upon completion of this scan, the lamp unit control circuit 181 turnsoff the visible light emission section 163 a of the lamp unit 163, andat the same time, the image information storage circuit 182 sends thedust/scratch range information to the image information processingcircuit 180, which executes image information processing for correctingthe dust/scratch range from image information of the film 162 obtainedby visible light (step S310). The image information is then output fromthe input/output terminal 175 (step S311), thus ending film imagescanning of the film scanner.

In the eighth embodiment, the dust/scratch range information on the film162 and the image information of the film 162 obtained by visible lightmay be separately output from the input/output terminal 175, and thedevice (not shown) connected to the input/output terminal 175 mayexecute image information processing for correcting the dust/scratchrange from the image information of the film 162 obtained by visiblelight.

Also, in the eighth embodiment, the scan for obtaining image informationof the film 162 by visible light may be made prior to the scan forobtaining image information of the film 162 by infrared light. In thiscase, however, the image information of the film 162 obtained by visiblelight must be stored in the image information storage circuit 182.

Furthermore, in the eighth embodiment, an operation mode that skips theinfrared light scan and makes only a scan for obtaining imageinformation of the film 162 by visible light may be provided as one ofoperation modes to be selected. With this mode, when a film which hasless dust or scratches is to be scanned, or when no dust/scratchcorrection of an output image is required, the time required for theimage information processing for obtaining image information of the film162 by visible light can be shortened by skipping the image informationprocessing for correcting the dust/scratch range of the imageinformation of the film 162.

As described above, in the eighth embodiment, after the scan forobtaining image information of the film 162 by infrared light is made byturning on the infrared light emission section 163 b of the lamp unit163, the scan for obtaining image information of the film 162 by visiblelight is made by turning on the visible light emission section 163 a ofthe lamp unit 163. Therefore, a simple film image scanning apparatuswhich can make a scan using infrared light to obtain a film image freefrom any dust or scratches within a shorter period of time than aconventional apparatus can be provided.

Also, since the operation mode that skips the infrared light scan uponscanning image information of the film 162 is provided and can beselected, when a film which has less dust or scratches is to be scanned,or when no dust/scratch correction of an output image is required, thetime required for the image information processing for obtaining imageinformation of the film by visible light can be shortened by skippingthe image information processing for correcting the dust/scratch rangeof the image information of the film.

Ninth Embodiment

The ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described belowwith reference to FIG. 37 and FIGS. 1 to 3 used in the description ofthe first embodiment. FIG. 37 is a flow chart in this embodiment forcontrolling the operation of the film scanner shown in FIG. 1.

An image information scanning method of the film 2 will be explainedbelow with reference to the flow chart in FIG. 37. Note that referencenumerals used in the following description are common to those in thefirst embodiment, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

(Step S351) Upon receiving a film scan command from an external devicevia the input/output terminal 15, the sensor 8 and sensor controlcircuit detect the position of the film carriage 1, and that informationis sent to the film scanner control circuit. The motor control circuitdrives the motor 7 to set the film carriage 1 at a predetermined standbyposition, thus moving the film carriage 1 to the standby position. Atthe same time, the filter sensor 17 and filter sensor control circuitdetect the position of the filter 10, and that information is sent tothe film scanner control circuit. In order to retract the filter 10 fromthe position on the optical axis 9, the filter motor control circuitdrives the filter motor 11 to move the filter 10 to its retractedposition.

(Step S352) The density sensor 16 and film density detection circuitdetect the density of the film 2.

(Step S353) The motor drive speed determination circuit determines thedrive speed of the motor 7 for a scan on the basis of the detecteddensity information.

(Step S354) The lamp control circuit turns on the lamp 3.

(Step S355) The motor control circuit rotates the motor 7 in apredetermined direction at the determined drive speed, thus scanning thefilm to obtain image information of the film 2 by infrared light.

(Step S356) During the scan, the line sensor 6 sends image informationto the image information processing circuit (detection means) via theline sensor control circuit to detect the infrared light transmissionstate, i.e., a region on the film 2 where the transmittance of theinfrared light is different from the remaining region by a predeterminedvalue or more, thus detecting any range suffering abnormality such asdust or scratches on the film 2.

(Step S357) The dust/scratch range information is then sent to andstored in the image information storage circuit.

(Step S358) Upon completion of the scan for obtaining the imageinformation, i.e., the dust/scratch range information of the film 2 byinfrared light, the motor 7 is reversed to move the film carriage 1 tothe aforementioned standby position. At the same time, the filter motorcontrol circuit drives the filter motor 11 to move the filter 10 to aposition where it can cover a light beam having the optical axis 9 asthe center while monitoring the position of the filter 10 by the filtersensor 17 and filter sensor control circuit.

(Step S359) The motor control circuit rotates the motor 7 in the samedirection as that in the scan using infrared light at the previouslydetermined drive speed, thus scanning the film to obtain imageinformation of the film 2 by visible light. During this scan, the linesensor 6 sends image information to the image information processingcircuit (signal processing means) via the line sensor control circuit.

(Step S360) Upon completion of this scan, the lamp control circuit turnsoff the lamp 3 and, at the same time, the image information storagecircuit sends the dust/scratch range information to the imageinformation processing circuit, which executes image informationprocessing for correcting the dust/scratch range on the imageinformation of the film 2 obtained by visible light.

(Step S361) The image information is output from the input/outputterminal 15, thus ending film image scanning of the film scanner.

Note that the dust/scratch range information on the film 2 and the imageinformation of the film 2 obtained by visible light may be separatelyoutput from the input/output terminal 15, and a device (not shown)connected to the input/output terminal 15 may execute image informationprocessing for correcting the dust/scratch range from the imageinformation of the film 2 obtained by visible light.

Furthermore, an operation mode that skips the scan using infrared light,i.e., the scan for obtaining dust/scratch range information, and makesonly a scan for obtaining image information of the film 2 by visiblelight may be provided as one of operation modes to be selected. Withthis mode, when a film which has less dust or scratches is to bescanned, or when no dust/scratch correction of an output image isrequired, the time required for the image information processing forobtaining image information of the film 2 by visible light can beshortened by skipping the image information processing for correctingthe dust/scratch range of the image information of the film 2.

As described above, according to the ninth embodiment, image informationof the film is scanned in two scan modes, i.e., a scan for obtainingimage information by visible light and a scan for obtaining imageinformation by infrared light, and the scan for obtaining imageinformation by visible light is made after the scan for obtaining imageinformation by infrared light. Therefore, the capacity of the storagecircuit required for the film image scanning apparatus which can obtainan image free from any dust or scratches can be minimized.

More specifically, the volume of dust/scratch range information on thefilm obtained by the infrared light scan is much smaller than that ofimage information obtained by the visible light scan. Hence, theinfrared light scan is made prior to the visible light scan forobtaining the image information of the film, and the dust/scratch rangeinformation on the film obtained by this infrared light scan is storedin the storage circuit. After the image information of the film isobtained by the visible light scan, the dust/scratch range informationstored in the storage circuit is read out, and image processing forcorrecting influences of dust and scratches on the image information ofthe film obtained by the visible light scan is done. For this reason,the storage capacity of the storage circuit can be greatly reducedcompared to a case wherein the visible light scan is made prior to theinfrared light scan, the image information of the film is stored in thestorage circuit, the image information of the film stored in the storagecircuit is read out after the infrared light scan, and the imageprocessing for correcting influences of dust and scratches on the imageinformation of the film obtained by the visible light scan is done.

A modification of the ninth embodiment described above will be explainedusing FIG. 38. FIG. 38 is a flow chart in this modification forcontrolling the operation of the film scanner shown in FIG. 1. In thefollowing description, since reference numerals are common to those inthe first embodiment as in the ninth embodiment, a detailed descriptionthereof will be omitted.

This modification is effective for a film scanner having the samearrangement as that of the first embodiment, in which upon reciprocallymoving the film carriage 1 by the motor 7 with respect to the linesensor 6, hysteresis due to the reciprocal motion is very small, thatis, two pieces of image information obtained by both movements (forwardand backward movements) can be easily overlapped on each other uponcapturing images by a movement of the film carriage 1 in a predetermineddirection and by a movement in the reverse direction.

(Step S371) Upon receiving a film scan command from an external devicevia the input/output terminal 15, the sensor 8 and sensor controlcircuit detect the position of the film carriage 1, and that informationis sent to the film scanner control circuit. The motor control circuitdrives the motor 7 to set the film carriage 1 at a predetermined standbyposition, thus moving the film carriage 1 to the standby position. Atthe same time, the filter sensor 17 and filter sensor control circuitdetect the position of the filter 10, and that information is sent tothe film scanner control circuit. In order to retract the filter 10 fromthe position on the optical axis 9, the filter motor control circuitdrives the filter motor 11 to move the filter 10 to its retractedposition.

(Step S372) The density sensor 16 and film density detection circuitdetect the density of the film 2.

(Step S373) The motor drive speed determination circuit determines thedrive speed of the motor 7 for a scan on the basis of the detecteddensity information.

(Step S374) The lamp control circuit turns on the lamp 3.

(Step S375) The motor control circuit rotates the motor 7 in apredetermined direction at the determined drive speed, thus scanning thefilm to obtain image information of the film 2 by infrared light.

(Step S376) During the scan, the line sensor 6 sends image informationto the image information processing circuit via the line sensor controlcircuit to detect the infrared light transmission state, i.e., a regionon the film 2 where the transmittance of the infrared light is differentfrom the remaining region by a predetermined value or more, thusdetecting any dust/scratch range on the film 2.

(Step S377) The dust/scratch range information is sent to and stored inthe image information storage circuit.

(Step S378) Upon completion of the scan for obtaining the imageinformation, i.e., the dust/scratch range information of the film 2 byinfrared light, the filter motor control circuit drives the filter motor11 to move the filter 10 to a position where it can cover a light beamhaving the optical axis 9 as the center while monitoring the position ofthe filter 10 by the filter sensor 17 and filter sensor control circuit.

(Step S379) The motor control circuit rotates the motor 7 in the reversedirection at the previously determined drive speed, thus scanning thefilm to obtain image information of the film 2 by visible light. Duringthis scan, the line sensor 6 sends image information to the imageinformation processing circuit via the line sensor control circuit.

(Step S380) Upon completion of this scan, the lamp control circuit turnsoff the lamp 3 and, at the same time, the image information storagecircuit sends the dust/scratch range information to the imageinformation processing circuit, which executes image informationprocessing for correcting the dust/scratch range from the imageinformation of the film 2 obtained by visible light.

(Step S381) The image information is output from the input/outputterminal 15, thus ending film image scanning of the film scanner.

Note that the dust/scratch range information on the film 2 and the imageinformation of the film 2 obtained by visible light may be separatelyoutput from the input/output terminal 15, and a device (not shown)connected to the input/output terminal 15 may execute image informationprocessing for correcting the dust/scratch range from the imageinformation of the film 2 obtained by visible light.

Furthermore, an operation mode that skips the scan using infrared light,i.e., the scan for obtaining dust/scratch range information, and makesonly a scan for obtaining image information of the film 2 by visiblelight may be provided as one of operation modes to be selected. Withthis mode, when a film which has less dust or scratches is to bescanned, or when no dust/scratch correction of an output image isrequired, the time required for the image information processing forobtaining image information of the film 2 by visible light can beshortened by skipping the image information processing for correctingthe dust/scratch range of the image information of the film 2.

10th Embodiment

The 10th embodiment of the present invention will be described belowwith reference to FIGS. 39 to 42, and FIGS. 8 to 10 used in thedescription of the third embodiment. FIG. 39 is a flow chart in thisembodiment for controlling the operation of the film scanner shown inFIG. 8. FIGS. 40 and 41 are graphs showing the spectral transmissioncharacteristics of a physical device used in this embodiment in aninfrared light transmission state, and FIG. 42 is a graph showing thespectral transmission characteristics of a physical device used in thisembodiment in an infrared light non-transmission state.

An image information scanning method of the film 32 will be describedbelow with reference to the flow chart in FIG. 39. Note that referencenumerals used in the following description are common to those in thethird embodiment, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

(Step S401) Upon receiving a film scan command from an external devicevia the input/output terminal 44, the sensor 38 and sensor controlcircuit detect the position of the film carriage 31, and thatinformation is sent to the film scanner control circuit. The motorcontrol circuit drives the motor 37 to set the film carriage 31 at apredetermined standby position, thus moving the film carriage 31 to thestandby position. At the same time, the physical device control circuitsets the spectral transmission characteristics of the physical device 40in the infrared light transmission state shown in FIG. 40 or 41.

(Step S402) The lamp control circuit turns on the lamp 33.

(Step S403) The motor control circuit rotates the motor 37 in apredetermined direction at a predetermined speed to scan the image rangeon the film 32 at the predetermined speed in the film surface direction,thus making a scan to obtain image information of the film 32 formed byinfrared light.

(Step S404) During the scan, the line sensor 36 sends image informationto the image information processing circuit via the line sensor controlcircuit, and the image information processing circuit detects theinfrared light transmission state, i.e., a region on the film 32 wherethe transmittance of the infrared light is different from the remainingregion by a predetermined value or more, thus detecting any dust/scratchrange on the film 32.

(Step S405) The detected dust/scratch range information is sent to andstored in the image information storage circuit.

(Step S406) Upon completion of the scan for obtaining the imageinformation, i.e., the dust/scratch range information of the film 32 byinfrared light, the physical device control circuit sets the spectraltransmission characteristics of the physical device 40 in the infraredlight non-transmission state shown in FIG. 42.

(Step S407) The motor control circuit rotates the motor 37 in thereverse direction at a predetermined drive speed, thus making a roughscan for obtaining image information of the film 32 by visible light.

(Step S408) During this rough scan, the line sensor 36 sends imageinformation to the image information processing circuit via the linesensor control circuit, and the film density detection circuit detectsthe light transmittance of the film 32, i.e., the film density on thebasis of this information.

(Step S409) When the film carriage 31 returns to its standby positionand the rough scan is complete, the motor drive speed determinationcircuit determines the motor drive speed for a fine scan on the basis ofthe detected film density of the entire film, so as to obtain an imagewith an appropriate amount of light.

(Step S410) The motor control circuit rotates the motor 37 in apredetermined direction at the determined motor drive speed, thus makinga fine scan.

(Step S411) During this fine scan, the line sensor 36 sends imageinformation to the image information processing circuit via the linesensor control circuit. Upon completion of image scanning for the finescan, the motor control circuit rotates the motor 37 in the reversedirection at a predetermined drive speed to return the film carriage 31to its standby position.

(Step S412) Upon completion of the fine scan, the lamp control circuitturns off the lamp 33, and at the same time, the image informationstorage circuit sends the dust/scratch range information to the imageinformation processing circuit, which executes image informationprocessing for correcting the dust/scratch range of image information ofthe film 32 obtained by the fine scan (visible light).

(Step S413) The image information is then output from the input/outputterminal 44, thus ending film image scanning of the film scanner.

Note that the dust/scratch range information on the film 32 and theimage information of the film 32 obtained by visible light may beseparately output from the input/output terminal 44, and a device (notshown) connected to the input/output terminal 44 may execute imageinformation processing for correcting the dust/scratch range from theimage information of the film 32 obtained by visible light.

Also, the scan for obtaining image information of the film 32 byinfrared light may be made during the reciprocal motion of the filmcarriage 31 in the fine scan in place of that of the film carriage 31 inthe rough scan. In this case, the fine scan is made after the scan forobtaining image information of the film 32 by infrared light.

Furthermore, an operation mode that skips the infrared light scan andmakes only a scan for obtaining image information of the film 32 byvisible light may be provided as one of operation modes to be selected.With this mode, when a film which has less dust or scratches is to bescanned, or when no dust/scratch correction of an output image isrequired, the time required for the image information processing forobtaining image information of the film 32 by visible light can beshortened by skipping the image information processing for correctingthe dust/scratch range of the image information of the film 32.

11th Embodiment

The 11th embodiment of the present invention will be described belowwith reference to FIG. 43, and FIGS. 31 to 33 used in the description ofthe eighth embodiment. FIG. 43 is a flow chart in this embodiment forcontrolling the operation of the film scanner shown in FIG. 31.

An image information scanning method of the film 162 will be describedbelow with reference to the flow chart in FIG. 43. Note that referencenumerals used in the following description are the common to those inthe eighth embodiment, and a detailed description thereof will beomitted.

(Step S451) Upon receiving a film scan command from an external devicevia the input/output terminal 175, the sensor 168 and sensor controlcircuit 178 detect the position of the film carriage 161, and thatinformation is sent to the film scanner control circuit 177. The motorcontrol circuit 179 drives the motor 167 to set the film carriage 161 ata predetermined standby position, thus moving the film carriage 161 tothe standby position.

(Step S452) The lamp unit control circuit 181 turns on the visible lightemission section 163 a of the lamp unit 163.

(Step S453) The motor control circuit 179 rotates the motor 167 in apredetermined direction at a predetermined drive speed, thus making arough scan for obtaining image information of the film 102 by visiblelight.

(Step S454) During this rough scan, the line sensor 166 sends imageinformation to the image information processing circuit 180 via the linesensor control circuit 183, and the film density detection circuit 184detects the light transmittance of the film 162, i.e., the film density,on the basis of that information.

(Step S455) Upon completion of image scanning for the rough scan, themotor control circuit 179 rotates the motor 167 in the reverse directionat a predetermined drive speed, thus returning the film carriage 161 toits standby position and completing the rough scan.

(Step S456) The lamp unit control circuit 181 turns off the visiblelight emission section 163 a of the lamp unit 163.

(Step S457) The lamp unit control circuit 181 then turns on the infraredlight emission section 163 b of the lamp unit 163.

(Step S458) The motor control circuit 179 rotates the motor 167 in apredetermined direction at a predetermined drive speed, thus making ascan for obtaining image information of the film 162 by infrared light.

(Step S459) During this scan, the line sensor 166 sends imageinformation to the image information processing circuit 180 via the linesensor control circuit 183 to detect the infrared light transmissionstate, i.e., a region on the film 162 where the transmittance of theinfrared light is different from the remaining region by a predeterminedvalue or more, thus detecting any dust/scratch range on the film 162.

(Step S460) The dust/scratch range information is sent to and stored inthe image information storage circuit 182.

(Step S461) Upon completion of the scan for obtaining the imageinformation, i.e., the dust/scratch range information of the film 162 byinfrared light, the lamp unit control circuit 181 turns off the infraredlight emission section 163 b of the lamp unit 163.

(Step S462) The motor drive speed determination circuit 185 determinesthe motor drive speed in a fine scan to obtain an image with anappropriate amount of light, on the basis of the film density of theentire film detected by the previous rough scan.

(Step S463) The lamp unit control circuit 181 turns on the visible lightemission section 163 a of the lamp unit 163.

(Step S464) The motor control circuit 179 rotates the motor 167 in apredetermined direction at the determined drive speed to make a finescan. During this fine scan, the line sensor 166 sends image informationto the image information processing circuit 180 via the line sensorcontrol circuit 183.

(Step S465) Upon completion of image scanning for the fine scan, thefilm carriage 161 returns to its standby position, thus completing thefine scan.

(Step S466) The lamp unit control circuit 181 turns off the visiblelight emission section 163 a of the lamp unit 163, and at the same time,the image information storage circuit 182 sends the dust/scratch rangeinformation to the image information processing circuit 180, whichexecutes image information processing for correcting the dust/scratchrange from image information of the film 162 obtained by the fine scan(visible light).

(Step S467) The image information is then output from the input/outputterminal 175, thus ending film image scanning of the film scanner.

Note that the scan for obtaining image information of the film 162 byinfrared light (infrared light scan) may be made during the process forreturning the film carriage 161 to its standby position after the roughscan, in place of the aforementioned timing.

As in the above embodiments, the dust/scratch range information on thefilm 162 and the image information of the film 162 obtained by visiblelight may be separately output from the input/output terminal 175, andthe device (not shown) connected to the input/output terminal 175 mayexecute image information processing for correcting the dust/scratchrange from the image information of the film 162 obtained by visiblelight.

Also, an operation mode that skips the infrared light scan and makesonly a scan for obtaining image information of the film 162 by visiblelight may be provided as one of operation modes to be selected. Withthis mode, when a film which has less dust or scratches is to bescanned, or when no dust/scratch correction of an output image isrequired, the time required for the image information processing forobtaining image information of the film 162 by visible light can beshortened by skipping the image information processing for correctingthe dust/scratch range of the image information of the film 162.

The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been explained,but the objects of the present invention are also achieved by supplyinga storage medium, which records a program code of a software programthat can implement the functions of the above-mentioned embodiments tothe system or apparatus, and reading out and executing the program codestored in the storage medium by a computer (or a CPU or MPU) of thesystem or apparatus.

In this case, the program code itself read out from the storage mediumimplements the functions of the above-mentioned embodiments, and thestorage medium which stores the program code constitutes the presentinvention.

As the storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, afloppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM,CD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, and the like may beused.

The functions of the above-mentioned embodiments may be implemented notonly by executing the readout program code by the computer but also bysome or all of actual processing operations executed by an OS running onthe computer on the basis of an instruction of the program code.

Furthermore, the functions of the above-mentioned embodiments may beimplemented by some or all of actual processing operations executed by aCPU or the like arranged in a function extension board or a functionextension unit, which is inserted in or connected to the computer, afterthe program code read out from the storage medium is written in a memoryof the extension board or unit.

As many apparently widely different embodiments of the present inventioncan be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, it isto be understood that the invention is not limited to the specificembodiments thereof except as defined in the appended claims.

1. An image scanning apparatus comprising: a light source adapted toemit visible light and invisible light; a scanning unit adapted to scana transparent original image irradiated with light emitted by said lightsource; and a controller adapted to control said light source and thescanning unit, wherein an operation mode that skips a scan of thetransparent original image irradiated with the invisible light before orafter executing a scan of the transparent original image irradiated withthe visible light is selectable.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1,wherein said controller controls said scanning unit to scan the originalimage irradiated with the invisible light, and then to scan the originalimage irradiated with the visible light, and wherein when the originalimage is irradiated with the visible light, the original image isscanned in a rough scan for roughly scanning the original image, and ina fine scan for scanning the original image under a required conditionon the basis of information scanned in the rough scan.
 3. The apparatusaccording to claim 2, wherein said controller controls said scanningunit to make the rough scan after said scanning unit scans the originalimage irradiated with the invisible light, and then to make the finescan.
 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising adetection unit adapted to detect abnormality on an original by scanningthe original image irradiated with the invisible light.
 5. The apparatusaccording to claim 4, wherein the abnormality on the original is causedby dust or scratches on the original.
 6. The apparatus according toclaim 4, further comprising a signal processing unit adapted to, whensaid detection unit detects the abnormality, execute signal processingfor correcting an influence of the abnormality from the image signaloutput from said scanning unit.
 7. The apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the invisible light is infrared light.
 8. The apparatusaccording to claim 1, further comprising a moving unit adapted to make areciprocal motion between the transparent original and said scanningunit, and wherein said controller controls said scanning unit to scanthe transparent original image irradiated with the visible light in amotion in one direction of the reciprocal motion, and to scan thetransparent original image irradiated with the invisible light in amotion in the other direction of the reciprocal motion.
 9. The apparatusaccording to claim 8, wherein said controller controls to scan theoriginal image from the transparent original by a rough scan forobtaining a rough image of the transparent original by visible light, afine scan for obtaining an image of the transparent original by visiblelight with designated image quality, or an infrared light scan forobtaining an image of the transparent original by infrared light. 10.The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said controller controls tomake the infrared light scan in one of two reciprocal motions forrespectively making the rough scan and fine scan.
 11. The apparatusaccording to claim 10, wherein said controller controls to make theinfrared light scan in the motion in one direction of the reciprocalmotion for making the rough scan.
 12. The apparatus according to claim10, wherein said controller controls to make the infrared light scan inthe motion in one direction of the reciprocal motion for making the finescan.
 13. The apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising alight-shielding unit, placed on a light incoming side of said scanningunit, adapted to cut the invisible light, and wherein said controllercontrols said light-shielding unit to be retractable from a position onan optical axis.
 14. The apparatus according to claim 8, furthercomprising a physical device which is placed on a light incoming side ofsaid scanning unit, and can control transmittances of the visible lightand the invisible light, and wherein said controller controls spectraltransmission characteristics of said physical device.
 15. The apparatusaccording to claim 8, wherein said light source comprises a firstemission section for emitting the visible light, and a second emissionsection for emitting the invisible light, and said controller controlsto turn on/off said first and second emission sections of said lightsource.
 16. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said scanningunit makes the rough scan in a motion in one direction of the reciprocalmotion, and makes the invisible light scan in a motion in the otherdirection of the reciprocal motion.
 17. The apparatus according to claim1, wherein said scanning unit makes three types of scans including arough scan for scanning the original image irradiated with the visiblelight at a low resolution, a fine scan for scanning the original imageirradiated with the visible light at a high resolution, and an invisiblelight scan for scanning the original image irradiated with the invisiblelight, and wherein said scanning unit makes the invisible light scan ata lower resolution than the fine scan.
 18. The apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the invisible light scan is to scan dust or scratchinformation on the original.
 19. The apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the original is a film original.
 20. The apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein said scanning unit makes two types of scans including avisible light scan for scanning the original image irradiated with thevisible light, and an invisible light scan for scanning the originalimage irradiated with the invisible light, and wherein said scanningunit completes the invisible light scan within a shorter period of timethan the visible light scan.
 21. The apparatus according to claim 20,wherein an output signal level of said scanning unit in the invisiblelight scan is lower than an output signal level in the visible lightscan.
 22. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein spectralintensity characteristics of said light source have a higher emissionintensity in the invisible light than an emission intensity in thevisible light.
 23. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein spectralsensitivity characteristics of said scanning unit have a highersensitivity in the invisible light than a sensitivity in the visiblelight.
 24. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said scanningunit makes two types of scans including a visible light scan forscanning the original image irradiated with visible light, and aninvisible light scan for scanning the original image irradiated withinvisible light, and wherein said scanning unit makes the invisiblelight scan at a higher speed than the visible light scan.
 25. An imagescanning method comprising: the emission step of emitting light by alight source adapted to emit visible light and invisible light; and thescanning step of scanning a transparent original image irradiated withlight emitted by the light source, wherein an operation mode that skipsa scan of the transparent original image irradiated with the invisiblelight before or after executing a scan of the transparent original imageirradiated with the visible light is selectable.
 26. The methodaccording to claim 25, wherein said scanning step scans the originalimage irradiated with the invisible light, and then scans the originalimage irradiated with the visible light, and wherein when the originalimage is irradiated with the visible light, the original image isscanned in a rough scan for roughly scanning the original image, and ina fine scan for scanning the original image under a required conditionon the basis of information scanned in the rough scan.
 27. The methodaccording to claim 25, wherein said scanning step is performed by areciprocal motion between the transparent original and a scanning unitadapted to scan the transparent original image irradiated with lightemitted by the light source, and wherein said scanning step scans thetransparent original image irradiated with the visible light in a motionin one direction of the reciprocal motion, and scans the transparentoriginal image irradiated with the invisible light in a motion in theother direction of the reciprocal motion.
 28. The method according toclaim 25, wherein said scanning step includes: the rough scan step ofscanning the original image irradiated with the visible light at a lowresolution; the fine scan step of scanning the original image irradiatedwith visible light at a high resolution; the invisible scan step ofscanning the original image irradiated with the invisible light at alower resolution than the resolution in the fine scan step.
 29. Themethod according to claim 25, wherein said scanning step includes: thevisible light scan step of scanning the original image irradiated withthe visible light; and the invisible light scan step of scanning theoriginal image irradiated with the invisible light within a shorterperiod of time than the visible light scan step.
 30. The methodaccording to claim 25, wherein said scanning step includes: the visiblelight scan step of scanning the original image irradiated with thevisible light; and the invisible light scan step of scanning theoriginal image irradiated with the invisible light at higher speed thanthe visible light scan step.
 31. A computer readable storage medium,which stores a program for implementing an image scanning method saidimage scanning method having the emission step of emitting light by alight source adapted to emit visible light and invisible light; and thescanning step of scanning a transparent original image irradiated withlight emitted by the light source, wherein an operation mode that skipsa scan of the transparent original image irradiated with the invisiblelight before or after executing a scan of the transparent original imageirradiated with the visible light is selectable.
 32. The storage mediumaccording to claim 31, wherein said scanning step scans the originalimage irradiated with the invisible light, and then scans the originalimage irradiated with the visible light, and wherein when the originalimage is irradiated with the visible light, the original image isscanned in a rough scan for roughly scanning the original image, and ina fine scan for scanning the original image under a required conditionon the basis of information scanned in the rough scan.
 33. The storagemedium according to claim 31, wherein said scanning step is performed bya reciprocal motion between the transparent original and a scanning unitadapted to scan the transparent original image irradiated with lightemitted by the light source, and wherein said scanning step scans thetransparent original image irradiated with the visible light in a motionin one direction of the reciprocal motion, and scans the transparentoriginal image irradiated with the invisible light in a motion in theother direction of the reciprocal motion.
 34. The storage mediumaccording to claim 31, wherein said scanning step includes: the roughscan step of scanning the original image irradiated with the visiblelight at a low resolution; the fine scan step of scanning the originalimage irradiated with the visible light at a high resolution; and theinvisible scan step of scanning the original image irradiated with theinvisible light at a lower resolution than the resolution in the finescan step.
 35. The storage medium according to claim 31, wherein saidscanning step includes: the visible light scan step of scanning theoriginal image irradiated with the visible light; and the invisiblelight scan step of scanning the original image irradiated with theinvisible light within a shorter period of time than the visible lightscan step.
 36. The storage medium according to claim 31, wherein saidscanning step includes: the visible light scan step of scanning theoriginal image irradiated with the visible light; and the invisiblelight scan step of scanning the original image irradiated with theinvisible light at higher speed than the visible light scan step.